A new type of methacrylate-substituted oxozirconium clusters: [Zr3O(OR)(5)(OMc(5)](2) and [Zr3O(OR)(3)(OMc(7)](2)

The new clusters Zr6O2(OBu)(10)(OMc)(10) and Zr6O2(OMe)(4)(OBu)(2)(OMc)(14) were prepared from Zr(OBu)(4) and methacrylic acid. For the preparation of Zr6O(2)(OMe)(4)(OBu)(2)(OMc)(14), partial exchange of the butoxy groups is necessary. The clusters consist of two Zr-3 subunits that dimerize via alkoxide bridges. The structures are of the same type, except that four terminal butoxy ligands in Zr6O2(OBu)(10)(OMc)(10) are exchanged for chelating methacrylate ligands in Zr6O2(OMe)(4)(OBu)(2)(OMc)(14).